During the summer of 1987 Scott Tingle worked for Orbital ATK (then Morton Thiokol) as an intern. Today he is a NASA astronaut scheduled to launch on December 17 to the International Space Station. There are former astronauts working for Orbital ATK, and there have been employees who have left the company to join the astronaut corps, but this is the first known instance of a former company intern becoming an astronaut.

As a major defense contractor, Orbital ATK is committed to supporting those who defend the nation’s freedom every day. Throughout the year, our employees at facilities across the country make it a priority to support veteran and military-based charities.

For 17 years, Orbital ATK has sponsored the Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) conference for girls in grades 6-9 in Northern Utah. Approximately 400 students attended this year’s conference on November 11 at North Davis Jr. High School in Clearfield.

On Saturday, November 11, more than 1,000 guests and media will head to NASA's Wallops Flight Facility to see the launch of Orbital ATK's OA-8 mission to the International Space Station. Among those viewers will be a group of high school students from Gilbert, Arizona. But these students are not the typical launch spectators - they are sending their own experiment to astronauts on board the space station.

Designed and built by Orbital ATK, the Dawn spacecraft launched on September 27, 2007 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Ten years later, the spacecraft continues to reveal new mysteries of the solar system. Among its many accomplishments, Dawn is the first mission of its kind to travel to and orbit two interplanetary bodies in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

At Orbital ATK, part of our core values includes giving back to our local communities. Through our Orbital ATK Gives Back program, we support a variety of organizations and activities throughout the year. We also lead a company-wide annual campaign in support of the United Way. During the month of September, employees across the country make contributions to the charity through the donation of time and money. Here are a few snapshots of what our employees have been up to so far.

When NASA’s next-generation heavy-lift rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS) lifts off, it will feature familiar-looking twin solid rocket motor boosters similar in appearance to the white four-segment boosters that helped propel the Space Shuttle into orbit.

Orbital ATK announced today that the company is donating $100,000 to the United Way of Greater Houston to aid in Hurricane Harvey relief efforts in the area. The United Way of Greater Houston supports emergency response organizations like the Red Cross, Salvation Army and many others so they can act quickly in times of disaster.

Orbital ATK employees across the country gathered outside on Monday, August 21 to view the first U.S. coast-to-coast total solar eclipse since 1979. While most of the sites missed the "path of totality," or the areas that experienced total coverage of the sun by the moon, many of the locations were still able to witness the spectacular scene of a partial eclipse.

As a part of Orbital ATK’s commitment to fostering the next generation of aerospace and defense professionals, the company conducts a robust summer internship program. Every summer, Orbital ATK employs hundreds of high school and college students from across the country, providing real-world, hands-on experience in various fields.

On Monday, August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will cross over the continental United States for the first time since 1918. In preparation for the highly-anticipated event, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum hosted a special program at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, with help from Orbital ATK volunteers.

Orbital ATK interns from the Dulles and Arlington, Virginia, offices spent the day on Capitol Hill highlighting the company's commitment and involvement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. The interns represented both government relations and engineering.

Earlier this month, Orbital ATK opened up the doors of its Chandler, Arizona, facility to a group of 150 local elementary school students. The event was part of the Chandler Education Foundation's Destination College summer program, which aims to encourage young students to pursue college and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematical (STEM) fields.

Science, engineering, mathematics and technology took center stage at the fourth annual NASA in the Park, sponsored by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. For this year's event, Orbital ATK provided 18 hands-on exhibits designed to engage student curiosity about STEM and rocket science. Exhibits ranged from learning about aerodynamics by operating a wind tunnel with a super hero inside to having balloon races that teach about guidance, navigation and control. No matter the age, there was something fun for everyone.

Following the successful ground test of the launch abort motor (LAM) for NASA's Orion spacecraft's Launch Abort System (LAS) by Orbital ATK, NASA and Lockheed Martin, team members from Orbital ATK's Propulsion System Division were recognized in an all-hands presentation Thursday, June 15.

The Orbital ATK designed and manufactured Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) scientific satellite is celebrating its fifth year of successful operations. The satellite launched aboard an Orbital ATK Pegasus rocket on June 13, 2012. NuSTAR was designed to help scientists answer fundamental questions about the universe, such as how the elements of the universe were created and what powers the most extreme active galaxies.

Recently, members of the Orbital ATK Defense Electronic Systems team gathered to celebrate a significant milestone with the delivery of the 500th Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) to the U.S. Navy. AARGM provides a key capability to U.S. and allied forces to defeat enemy surface-to-air radar systems. The occasion was marked with a ceremony at the Orbital ATK production facility in Northridge, California, on May 31. Attendees included 30th Congressional District U.S. Representative Brad Sherman, Program Manager for Direct and Time Sensitive Strike Weapons (PMA-242) Capt. Al Mousseau, and other Navy senior executives and industry suppliers.

While Mars is the logical next destination for human space exploration, significant work is required to mature the technologies needed for such a journey. Cislunar space, the region between Earth and the Moon, is the ideal environment to prove out the systems required for human exploration of Mars. Orbital ATK was one of several companies selected for the NASA Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP-2) program, a public-private partnership for commercial development of deep-space exploration capabilities to support more extensive human space flight missions in cislunar space.

In collaboration with Yahsat and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Orbital ATK proudly supported the first graduation ceremony of students from the space systems and technology program in Abu Dhabi. David W. Thompson, President and CEO of Orbital ATK, attended on behalf of the company along with Tom Wilson, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development for Orbital ATK's Space Systems Group.

Mark Waki hired on at Thiokol in 1982 – in August 2017, he will have worked for the company for 35 years. Since working for Orbital ATK, Mark has become a space program artist of wide renown. His first major project was the "Sting of the Hornet" painting for the HARM program, which he completed in 1985. Since then he has turned out more than 30 major paintings in his work for the company.

On the evening of April 28, the space industry recognized its shining stars at the annual Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation awards gala. With former CNN anchor Miles O’Brien back again as master of ceremonies, the Foundation celebrated notable contributions to our nation’s space program.

On May 5, 1961, Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. became the first American in space, launched aboard the Freedom 7 Mercury capsule. The suborbital flight propelled Shepard 116 miles into the atmosphere and lasted approximately 15 minutes. This event kick-started America’s future as a space fairing nation, thus, it’s only fitting the anniversary of this significant date in history is used to celebrate all astronauts. Dubbed National Astronaut Day by Uniphi Space Agency, today is a day to celebrate space exploration and those who make it possible: our astronauts.

Engineering, science and teamwork took center stage at this year's Bring Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day on April 27. Hundreds of children visited our campuses across the country and participated in various activities that included launching bottle rockets, touring facilities and shadowing their parents.

Orbital ATK is sponsoring a unique exhibit with more than 100 pieces of art inspired by NASA's journey to Mars and beyond at Zootah at Willow Creek Park in Logan, Utah, now through July 31. The grand opening, which included hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM), featured Orbital ATK's compressed air rocket launcher.

Orbital ATK's robust Earth science satellite history spans back to 1982 with the launch of Landsat 4 for NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey. Since then, the company has continued to produce small- and medium-class spacecraft platforms for a variety of Earth science, remote sensing, astrophysics and heliophysics missions.

NASA's Student Launch competition is a research-based, competitive, experiential exploration activity that offers multiple rocketry challenges reaching middle and high schools, colleges, and universities across the nation. The competition involves a number of reviews and checkpoints – just like launching a real rocket. Additionally, there are payload requirements, and a long-standing goal of launching a rocket exactly one mile high.

During recent Orbital ATK earnings calls, CEO Dave Thompson has mentioned one of the company’s top growth strategies for the next decade is developing and launching a new generation of intermediate- and large-class space launch vehicles. On April 3, the company shared more information about its Next Generation Launch (NGL) system in a press release and at the 33rd Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

As we prepare to launch the Cygnus OA-7 mission from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Orbital ATK’s Antares team at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility is making great progress on the company's eighth Cargo Resupply Mission (known as OA-8) to the International Space Station. The team plans to have Antares fully integrated and ready for the Cygnus payload by May.

At Orbital ATK, we are dedicated to encouraging children to pursue their dreams, explore STEM careers and realize that they are able to accomplish great things. As a part of our Orbital ATK Gives Back program, and in an effort to bolster the Orbital ATK commitment to STEM education, the company has made an in-kind donation of at least 500 personal computers to the Utah STEM Action Center and their Computers for Schools initiative, on behalf of its Aerospace Structures Division located in Clearfield, Utah, and the 3,000 Utah-based employees. The donation will directly support local Utah Elementary Schools and the education of students preparing for careers in STEM fields.

Sounding rocket season is underway at Poker Flat Research Range, Alaska, with the first of four launches to examine the structure of auroras. The Black Brant IX sounding rocket launched as part of the Ionospheric Structure: In Situ and Ground-Based Low Altitude Studies, or ISINGLASS, mission. The mission features two identical rockets that are launched into two different types of auroras. The launch window for the second rocket remains open through March 3.

Orbital ATK’s Armament Systems Division recently wrapped up its second Bushmaster User Conference, hosting more than 150 U.S. and International customers and industry partners representing more than 20 countries. In addition to round robin product discussions, the highlight of the three-day event was the live fire product demonstration.

As the division sponsor of the “Go for Launch” program, Orbital ATK’s Dulles, Virginia, headquarters served as “ground control” for more than 50 local high school students who participated in a three-day program that promoted involvement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), STEAM (Art); teamwork, communication and leadership.

Orbital ATK joined the U.S. Air Force, the Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce and several other commercial partners in celebrating the opening of Orbital ATK’s new office at Hill Air Force Base Falcon Hill Research Park on December 15. A crowd of 40 people gathered in the lobby of the office to watch as the ribbon was cut by Orbital ATK Flight Systems Group President, Scott Lehr; Propulsion Systems Division General Manager, Charlie Precourt; Propulsion Subsystem Support Contract (PSSC) Program Manager, Gordie Russell and Air Force Colonel Scott Jones.

Earlier this month, Orbital ATK participated in a dedication ceremony of a Peacekeeper missile display at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Peacekeeper display comprises an entire inert Peacekeeper missile, displayed horizontally, with wide spaces between each stage allowing visitors an up-close view of the motors and other missile components.

Orbital ATK is proud to support our nation’s military by providing quality defense products and equipment in the field, but also through sponsoring events and donating to several charities across the nation. Over the past few weeks, employees from various offices have supported Orbital ATK-sponsored events in their community.

Earlier this month, more than 400 girls from 60 schools throughout northern Utah got up early on a Saturday morning to learn about how fun careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) can be at Orbital ATK’s 16th annual Expanding Your Horizons conference.

Orbital ATK recently conclulded its United Way campaign, during which employees from across the country raised more than $1.1 million through payroll deductions and participated in fundraisers and volunteer activities to raise funds and awareness for United Way.

Once again this year Orbital ATK exhibited at the annual Association of the United States Army's (AUSA) 2016 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C. Held every October, the show is the largest land power exposition and professional development forum in North America. This year's show was an opportunity for Orbital ATK’s Defense Systems Group to highlight a number of new weapons, munitions and capabilities that support the warfighter.

While Mars is the logical next destination for human space exploration, significant work is required to mature the technologies needed for such a journey. Cislunar space, the region between Earth and the Moon, is the ideal environment to prove out the systems required for human exploration of Mars.

On September 20, Aerospace Structures Division (ASD) and Airbus Americas celebrated a significant milestone in their successful partnership of working together to support air transport customers around the world, and marked the successful completion of the 100,000th composite part in support of the A350 XWB program.

As the program sponsor of “Go for Launch” several employees from the Space Components Division at Orbital ATK’s San Diego facility took their talents and their children to the space camp at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Created and presented by Higher Orbits, a non-profit group, the program uses Space Exploration as a platform to launch student participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) around the country.

Smiles, laughter and the sounds of launch countdowns filled the air at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Camp Rainbow as Orbital ATK employees volunteered their time for a night of rockets and stars. The “Stars” of the event were the 50 children ages 7 through 12 who have either had cancer or are currently undergoing treatment for cancer, along with some who have serious blood disorders.

U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch toured Orbital ATK's Promontory manufacturing facilities and took the opportunity to speak to enthusiastic employees on Thursday, August 11. Senator Hatch was introduced by Charlie Precourt, vice president and general manager of Orbital ATK’s Propulsion Systems Division, who acknowledged Hatch's distinguished career in the Senate and his membership on several important committees.

Preparations for full-scale tests of Orbital ATK’s solid rocket motors begin months in advance. Technicians set hundreds of sensors in place, verify data collection systems and make sure test equipment is working correctly. Team members are laser-focused on getting everything ready for a flawless test because there is only one chance to get the data needed from a static rocket firing.

Earlier this summer, employees from Orbital ATK's Launch Vehicle Division teamed with Any Soldier to host a drive meant to boost the troop's spirits during the summer months when U.S. deployed forces receive fewer packages.

Earlier this month, a “small astronaut” named Harrison visited our Dulles campus to learn more about Orbital ATK and our space systems group. Harrison is not your typical astronaut - he and his father Aaron are a father and son photography team whose goal is to remind adults that children are still exploring the world around them, and that what may seem like a mundane task is full of wonderment for children.

The Cygnus program has been selected to receive the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Space Systems Award for 2016. The cargo delivery spacecraft was honored for outstanding achievements in architecture, analysis, design and implementation of space systems.

Each year, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Space Camp, located in Huntsville, Alabama, chooses specific companies to highlight throughout the summer. As the featured company for the week of July 11, Orbital ATK employees pitched in to mentor the young trainees. Dan Merenda, Orbital ATK’s Huntsville Operations manager, spoke to participants about rocket science and the importance of education.

This year, Orbital ATK awarded $135,000 in scholarships to 70 students pursuing undergraduate education through the Orbital ATK Scholarship Program. Recipients were selected from an academically talented pool of applicants from around the country who are children of company employees.

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, recently opened their fourth building to the public. Orbital ATK was one of several companies located in the Dayton area who made a donation to support the expansion.

Brian Duffy, Vice President of Johnson Space Center Exploration Programs for the company’s Propulsion Systems Division, received the honor of being inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 14.

On the evening of April 29, shining stars in the space industry stepped out in their finest for the annual Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation awards gala. With former CNN anchor Miles O’Brien as master of ceremonies, the evening celebrated the nominees, winners and industry as a whole.

Located approximately 100 miles west of Huntsville, Alabama in Iuka, Mississippi, Orbital ATK’s Large Composite Structures Center Of Excellence (LSCOE) manufactures large composite aerospace structures for the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V and Delta IV launch vehicles.

Orbital ATK recently participated in the 4th USA Science & Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C, where visitors to the Orbital ATK booth had the opportunity to interact with Orbital ATK scientists and engineers learn more about our capabilities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

At the start of the new year, Orbital ATK’s Fuze and Warhead team – part of its Defense Systems Group – announced it had signed and important agreement for production of its Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Alternative Warhead (AW) for the U.S. Army.

More than 1,000 children saw their passion for learning ignite during the Chandler Science Spectacular thanks to the support of 50 volunteers and 18 exhibits from Orbital ATK. The Science, Math, Engineering and Technology (STEM) event was hosted by the City of Chandler and held in the city square on February 20th.

For the second year in a row, Orbital ATK helped inspire future engineers and scientists at the 2016 Utah STEM Fest. More than 20,000 middle and high school students from across the state visited the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy, Utah, and learned about what it

Orbital ATK recently presented its Outstanding Leadership Award to three individuals – one each from the Flight, Defense and Space Systems Groups – who exemplified outstanding leadership and personal commitment during the company’s first year.

Earlier this month, more than 400 girls from schools throughout northern Utah got up early on a Saturday morning to learn about how fun careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) can be at Orbital ATK’s 15th annual Expanding Your Horizons conference.

Operations in the Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF) at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility where Orbital ATK assembles and tests its Antares medium-class rocket are in full force as the team preps the upgraded vehicle for its upcoming “hot fire” test in early 2016.

On October 22, 2015, Sandy Coleman, Vice President of Orbital ATK’s Washington Operations, was awarded the Women in Aerospace Lifetime Achievement Award for a career dedicated to advancing aerospace and human spaceflight.

Employees at Orbital ATK's Chandler, Arizona facility recently heard from Arizona’s student Chief Science Officers (CSOs) from local high schools. The group discussed how to engage younger generations and ignite their interest to pursue careers in science and engineering.

At the 2015 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) annual meeting and exposition, Orbital ATK hosted “A Salute to America’s Warfighters” – an evening reception held in honor of our nation’s military members and their families.

Orbital ATK is a proud sponsor of Space Camp at the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. During the week of July 20, Orbital ATK was the highlighted sponsor, which included presentations to the students and other one-on-one mentoring opportunities.

In one of our work communities, United Way of Salt Lake annually recognizes a small group of companies and individuals for outstanding achievement in creating positive change in the lives of individuals within the community. This year, it was Orbital ATK’s honor to be recognized by United Way of Salt Lake (UWSL) as the corporate partner of the year.

As a leader in the development and production of propulsion systems for air-, sea- and land-based missiles, Orbital ATK has been at the forefront of insensitive munitions research for more than a decade. Learn more about how Orbital ATK has developed the means to make our weapon systems safer, not just in the lab, but in the real world.

What started out as an after-hours group designed to foster camaraderie among younger employees has now grown into something more meaningful to the early career workforce at Orbital ATK. The network, called Emerging Professionals Investing in Careers (EPIC), has clear goals: to create and maintain a culture where innovation is encouraged and rewarded, where individuals can make a difference, and where opportunity is limitless.

Orbital ATK’s Dulles, Virginia campus recently hosted more than 200 girls from grades 5-12, along with their chaperones, for the “Sharing our Success” event. During the event, the students had the opportunity to learn about the aerospace industry as well as interact with several local high school robotics teams and other science and technology related hands-on offerings.

On the evening of April 24, shining stars in the space industry stepped out in their finest for the annual Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation award gala. Orbital ATK is proud to have had a total of ten individual nominees and four team nominations with three employees taking home awards this year.

The Space Components Division (SCD) of Orbital ATK’s Space Systems Group is pioneering new technologies that will enhance the viability of our key spacecraft. Previously a part of ATK, the division is an example of how the recent merger is certain to make a powerful difference to customers and shareholders.

Supplying Space Systems from the Ground Up

March 27, 2015

From launch vehicles to satellites, Orbital ATK’s reliable and proven technologies can be found in many space systems in both defense and commercial markets. In addition to developing our own space systems, Orbital ATK is a major supplier of propulsion systems and aerospace structures for other launch vehicles and spacecraft.

A large crowd comprised of media, industry, space enthusiasts and the general public gathered on March 11 at Orbital ATK's test facility in Promontory, Utah, to witness the first qualification ground test of the five-segment rocket motor that will be used for NASA's heavy-lift Space Launch System.

Orbital ATK manufactures the twin five-segment solid rocket motors that will help boost NASA's new heavy-lift Space Launch System (SLS) out of Earth's gravity. On March 11, a major milestone will be reached with a...